The Israeli political hierarchy has publicly stated its intention to return control of parts of Jerusalem, the central sticking point for so many failed peace agreements, to the Palestinian National Authority in any future peace agreement. Although the positive talk is commendable and a long time coming the truth of the matter is that the offer was made at a time when the Palestinians are bitterly divided and even offers of leaving the Holy Land wouldn’t be able to be finalised. Hamas remains in control of the Gaza Strip and is threatening to carry the fight to the West Bank. Recent evidence suggests that Mahmoud Abbas' security forces are in disarray and if it were not for the presence of Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, Hamas and not Fatah, would not be in control of the Palestinian polity. So does the offer mean anything? Yes and no. In reality the offer is baseless, like the Americans offering Senegal a piece of land on Mars. As a symbolic gesture it's great. It will reinvigorate the Western diplomats and give them something with which to negotiate with. For Olmert's government offering a symbolic olive branch will earn him big points with the international community, but not amongst the ultra-cons. With Jerusalem just one of the primary issues (ther other being refugees, borders, settlements, water and security) we are left to wait in anticipation for the November US sponsored peace talks.
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